Feeler mechanism for looms



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FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS. APPLICATION FILED JIUNE ll, l920 PatentedFeb. 22 1921.

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.A fi uring I. SNOW.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LQOMS. 'APPLICATION FILED JUNE 11. 1920.

Patnted Feb. 22,1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2. /8 5 L 1 I EM" mmMyalulwhllrmnlun ISAAC SNOW,

OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETT I ToaZZ whom it may concave:

nisins for looms, and

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OF LAWRENCE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO DRAPER CORPORATION,

s, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

FEELER MncnAmsM FOR Looms incense,

Be'it known that LflsAAoSNow, a citizen of the United States, and resding at Lawrence, in thecounty of Essex'and State of Massachusetts; haveinvented Improve- 1 ment inFeeler Mechanisms for Looms, of

which the following description, in connection with the'accompanyingdrawings, isa specification, like characters on the drawingsrepresenting like parts.

This invention'relates to ieeler mechahasftor one of its objectstheprovision of a feeler mechanism which shall be sensitive to thepresenceor substantial absence of the filling on a detect the fillingreplenishing mechanism in accordance with the detected ing beat, andcontrol condition ofthe filling.

In that type of feeler mechanism wherein the feelei' is given a sideswipe or movement longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling issubstainiially exhausted I on a detecting beat, :teeler is either,displaced laterally o given its side swipe movement by the front wardpressure against acting to displace the eler on a detecting beat, Inthepresent invention, however, the

tee-lei is mounted upon a feeler carrier which is movable toward andfrom the front of the loom, and feelei actuator acts normally upon thefeeler when 1t is in its rearward position to maintain it in feelingrela- ;tion with the adjacent parts, and when the if'eeler is movedfrontwardly. by the frontward pressure'on a detecting beat, todlsplaceit laterally, or in a direction longi 'tudinally of theshuttle,'provided the filling is substantially exhausted, To give thefeeler sufiicient time to embed-its toothed engaging end into thefilling, the feeler actuator acts progressively with increased energy,-tending to displace the feeler laterally as it moves i'rontwardly, sothat after the teeth of the feeler have 'embedded'themselves, or itself,into th'efilling, the teeler' actuator will not effect lateral movementor displacement of the feeler, provided a working supply is present, butwill efiect such movement when the filling is substantially exhausted.

In the drawings Figure lis a perspective view of the feeler sideofa'loom, showing more particularly the present invention and itsassociation with the coiiperating parts;

Specification of Iletters Patent. Patented Fe! 22, 1921,

' Application filed June11, 1920. Serial No. 388,275. 7

Fig; '2 is detached detail view on an enlaiged scale, showing the actionotthe feeler when a working supply is present in the shuttle onadetecting beat;

Fig.3 1s a View similar to that of Fig. 2, showing the action of thefeeler -mecha-' nisniwheh the filling is substantially exmay be of usualconstruction. Rising from the rock shaft 3 is the arm 4:, to which isconnectedat 5 the latch 6, the rear endportion of which is adapted to beengaged at times by an actuator 7 which may be conveniently formedas'part of or connected to the cam follower, as usual in this generaltype oi. loom. In the present nstance, the

latch 6 has a rear engaging portion Swhich is pivoted to the latch, at'9,"and is normally under balance, so that the rear end 8 normally'belowthe path of theoperating member 7, Pivotally connected to the support 10at '11 a bellcranlclever, one' arm 12 of which underlies a finger 13 oftherear end portion 8 of the latch 6. The 7 other arm '14 of the bellcrank is connected to the feeler mechanism-by a transmitter 15 which maybe conveniently formed as a rod or other suitable device, theconstruction being such that the rear end portion 8 of the latch 6 willnormally occupy a position Out of the path of movement of the operatingmember '7 and will be moved into the path of movement of the" operatingmember when the feeler is given its side swipe movement, as willpresently appear.

The lay 16 may be of usual construction and have the shuttle-130x17intowhich is picked the shuttle 18 which carries the fill-' ing carrieror bobbin 19. The front wall of the shuttle-box is provided with anopening 20 and the adjacent wall of the' shuttle is provided with anopening 21, the construction being such that whenthe shuttle is properlyboxed,the openings will register to permit the entrance therethrough ofthe feeler. V I

The feeler in the present invention, is

mounted upon a feeler carrier which is movable toward and from the frontof the loom.-

There are two principal forms of such carriers 'known in the art,-one aslide, and

' means tor the ileeler carrier 31.

the other a swinging arm. In the present illustration, the slide form offeeler' carrier is shown.

The shipper stand 22 has extending therefrom the bracket 23 which isprovided with a slot 24 to which is adjustably secured the feelersupport 25 by means of a bolt or other form of securing means 26. r

The feeler carrier is mounted for reciproeating movement toward and fromthe front of the loom upon a feeler stand 27, which may be adjustablysecured to the bracket or support 25. In the present instance of'theinvention, the feeler stand 27 is formed with the turned end portions 28which extend below the support 25 and to which they may be adjustablysecured by any suitable means. The front; end portion of the feelerstand is provided with projection 29, and the rear end portion oithestand is similarly provided with a projection 30, the two projectionsserving as appropriate guiding In the present instance of the invention,the two projections 29 and 30 are each provided a with an openingthrough which the feeler carrier 31 extends, and in whichflit is sup--ported for reciprocating movement.

' The feeler 32 is pivotally connected to the feeler carrier 31 at 33,the pivotal connection being located between the rear and front endportions or the feeler 32. .The rear end portion oi the feeler providedI with engaging teeth 34-, of any suitable character. I

As a convenient form of v't'eeler carrier and pivotal support of thefeeler with reference thereto, the feeler carrier 3i is shown as formedof an upper and lower portion which may be formed integral andbent atthe front end portion 35. Between the upper and lower portions of theiecler carrier the feeler 32 is located as indicated in Fig.

' l. This construction is a convenient way 1 he changed v otlieih-n'in'39 ot the feeler actuator extends of relating the parts, but of course,it may Pivotally mounted at 36 on the feeler stand, thefeeler actuator,the reararm 37 of which has a bearing portion 38 which bears upon theside of the feeler 32. The

llfUllllWLlWllY. and is under the influence of yielding means tending toforce the end 38 of the actuator against the edge of vthe feeler, In thepresent instance of the invention, the 'leeler carrier has pivot-allyconnected to it at 470, the rod 41 which extends through a lug 42carried by the frontwardlyextending arm 39 ofthe' feeler actuator. A

spring 43 is interposed between the shuttle 44 and the lug 42, theconstruction being such that the springnormally tends to force the end38 of the feeler actuator against the side or edge of the feeler.

When the parts are in normal position with the lay back, the end 38 ofthe feeler actuator rests or bears upon the side of the feeler 32 at oneside of its pivotalconnection with the feeler carrier, and when-thefeeler is moved frontwardly on a detecting beat, the end 38 of thefeeler actuator-bears upon the feeler at the other side ofits pivotalconnection with the feeler carrier. In the present instance of theinvention, the end 38 of the feeler carrier bears against the side ofthe feeler frontward of its pivotal connection' 33 with the'feelercarrier when the parts are in rearward feellngpositlon,

and therebytends to hold the feeler in its proper jfeeling position. Topreventpdis placement of the feeler from such position.

under the pressure of the end 38 of the actuator, a stop is providedwhich,'in the presentinstance'of the invention, consistsof a lug 45which extends from the feeler and engages a side of the feeler' carrierunder the pressure of the feeler actuator when the parts are in normalposition, as indicated in Fig. 1.[ When, however, the feeler is pushedfrontwardly on a detecting beat, the end 38 of the feeler actuator bearsupon the feeler rearwardly of its pivotal connection-33 with members ofthe feeler carrier 31 and act as a a guide to steady the swingingmovement of the feeler actuator under the gradually and progressivelyincreased tension placed upon the spring 43 as the feeler movesfrontwardly on adetecting'beat.

The feeler carrier is provided with a step 48 to limit its rearwardmovement and in to contact with the front projection or lug 29 of thefeeler stand when the -feeler carrier is in its rearward position. Theconstruction hereinbeit'ore described presents a good, practical form ofthe mvention, although in some of the details the fromthe'true'scopethereof. WVhen aworking supply of filling is present inthe shuttle on a detecting beat, the toothed end portion-of 'the feel'er32 engages the filling and 1s moved frontwardly thereby. 'Asthefeelermoves frontwardly, the feeler' actuator, whichbefore actedfrontwardly of the pivot connection between the feeler and feelerca1r1er,;1s

caused to act rearwardly of the pivotal'eoir nection of the feeler withthe feeler carrier, and tend to turn thefeeler or give-it its side thepresent instance, the stop flS'is arranged features maybeichangedwithoutdeparting iii) I end teeler. "When filling is substantially absent heatsup. it will be noted that as the feel'er carrier moves frontwardly, thespring 43 is progressively increased intension, thereby progressivelyincreasing the pressure of the 38 of the teeler actuatoragainst the on adetecting beat, the feeler will no longer be held by the filling frommoving laterally or swinging upon its pivotal connection 'witli theteeter carrier under the impulse of the teeler actuator asthe lay heatsup, and the parts will assume position substantially indicated in Fig.3, thereby moving the transmitter 15 and efi'ecting replenishmentoiifilling. i i

What is claimed is 1. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combinationof a feeler carrier mounted for movement toward and from the front ofthe loom, a feeler pivotallymounted between its ends on the feelercarrier,a feeler actuator pivotally supported at -a fixed point andhaving a part that bears upon the teeler at one side ofits pivotalconnection-with the feeler carrier when the feeler is in itsrearnostposition and that bears upon the feeler at the other side of itspivotal connection with the feeler carrier as the teeler is movedfrontwardly on a detecting beat, and a spring which operates through thefeeler actuator tending to turn the feeler laterally on a detecting beatand is held from efli'ecting such movement by engagement of the teelerwith the filling on a detecting beat until substantialexhaustionthereof.

2. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination. of a feeler carriermounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom, a feelerpivotally mounted between its ends on the feeler carrier, a. feeleractuator pivotally supported at a fixed oint and having a part thatbears upon the eeler at one side of its pivotal connection with thefeeler carrier when the feeler is in its rearmost position and thatbears upon the feeler at the other side of its pivotal connection withthe feeler carrier as the feeler is moved frontwardly on a detectingbeat, and a spring between the feeler carrier and teeler actuatortensioned by frontward movement of the feeler carrier on a detectingbeat to gradually increase the tendency of the feeler actuator to turnthe feeler laterally.

3. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier,a feeler piv otally mounted between its ends on the teeler carrier, :1.feeler actuator comprising a lever having one end and a spring actingthrough the engaging the feeler alternately frontward and rearward ofthe rier move frontwardly on a detecting beat,

feeler actuator to turn the feeler laterally when the filling issubstantially exhausted on a detectin beat. i

4.1% a feeler mechanism for looms, the

combination of a teeler carrier movable toward and from the front of theloom, a feeler pivotally mounted between its ends on the feeler carrier,a feeler actuator mounted to bear'upon the feeler of its pivotalconnection withthe teel'er carat one side rier when theifeeler is in itsrearward feeling position and at theother side of its pivotal connectionwith the feeler carrier as pivotal connection between the feeler andfeelercarrier as the teeler and feeler carthe feeler is movedfrontwardly on a detect- 3 ing beat, and means for effectingreplenishment of filling when the teelcr is moved laterally by theactuator on a detecting beat.

"5. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination oi a teele rcarrier movable toward and from the front of the loom, a

feeler pivotally mounted between its ends on the feeler carrier, afeeler actuator mounted to bear upon the feeler at oneside of itspivotal connection with the feeler carrier when the feeler is initsrearward feeling position and at'the other side of its pivjotalconnection with the feeler carrier as the feelor is moved frontwardly ona detecting beat, a s p'ringacting upon the feeler actuator to cause itto bear upon the feeler, and means for effecting replenishment offillingwhen'the feeler is moved laterally by the actuator on a detectingbeat.

6. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprising, in combination, a feele'rcarrier, a

feeder pivotally connected between its ends to the feeler carrier, afeeler actuator pivotally mounted at a fixed point and having a part tobear upon the feeler alternately frontward and rearward of the feelerspivotal. connection with the feeler carrier on a detecting beat, and aspring progressively tensioned by frontward movement of the feelercarrier and acting upon the feeler actuator to turn the feeler laterallywhen filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat.

7. In a feeler mechanism for looms, a

feeler stand, a feeler carrier mounted for sliding movement on thestand, a feeler pivotally mounted on the feeler carrier, and a teeleractuator which bears upon the feeler in front of its pivot and then inrear of its pivot as the teeler moves frontwardly on a detaching beat.

8. A teeler' mechanism for looms, comprisingQin combination, a feelercarrier, a

feeler pivotally connected between its ends to the feeler carrier, afeeler actuator pivotally mounted at a fixed point and having a part tobear upon the feeler alternately frontward and rearward of the feelerspivotal connection with the feeler carrier on a detecting beat, a springprogresslvely tensioned by frontward movement of the feeler carrier andacting upon the feeler actuator to turn the feeler laterally whenfilling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, and meansconnected to the feeler for effecting replenishment of filling.

9. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprising, in combination, a feelercarrier which is supported for movement toward and from the front of theloom, a feeler which is mounted on the feeler carrier for frontwa-rd andrearward movement therewith and also for movement in a directionlongitudinally of the shuttle, and a feeler actuator which exerts alateral force upon the feeler progressively nearer its rear end as thefeeler is moved frontwardly on a detecting beat and effects lateralmovement. of the feeler relative to the feeler carrier when the fillingis substantially exhausted.

10. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprising, in combination, a feelercarrier which is supported for movement toward and from the front of theloom, a feeler which is mounted on the feeler carrier for frontward andrearward movement therewhich is supported for movement toward and fromthe front of the loom, a feeler which is mounted on the feeler carrierfor frontward and rearward movement therewith and also for movement in adirection longitudinally of the shuttle, and a feeler actuator thatbears upon a front portion of the feeler when the feeler is in rearwardposition and shifts its bearing on the feeler to a rearward portion ofthe feeler tending to 'move the feeler longitudinally; of the shuttle.as the feeler is moved frontwardly on a detecting beat.

12. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler whichis supported for movement toward and from the front of the loom and formovement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, and ar feeleractuator that bears upon the feeler with a tendency to restrain movementof the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle when the feeler is inrearmost position, and bears upon another portion of the feeler withiatendency to move the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle when thefeeler is moved frontwardly fromvits rearmost position.

13. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprising in combination, a feelerthat is pivotally supported for movement longitudinally of the shuttleand is held from such longitudinal movement by engagement with thefilling until substantial exhaustion thereof,' and a feeler actuatorwhich bears upon the feeler alternately frontward and rearward of itspivotal supportduring a detecting beat and exerts a lateral force uponthe feeler. Z V In testimony whereof, name to this specification;

ISAAC SNOW.

I have. signed my

